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Ask HN: Where can I start learning about hacking?

12 points by bestcoder ↗ HN
I'm an experienced developer but I can't get a job as a developer but honestly I had long ago started hating every second I spent writing software.

Instead of crying about not being able to get a job I guarantee I'll hate and will make me less of a person and generally unhappier I've finally had enough of a break from the iq-toxic environment that encompasses all of software development that I think I might be able to enjoy learning something new and maybe I'll get a job the specializes in that.

Two things come to mind. Machine learning and hacking. I think machine learning will be too similar to normal software development though. So maybe hacking is a good direction for me to try.

I've tried and failed with metasploit in the past. Failed because I couldn't find a good book. I know to be a hacker you have to know about a lot of things. I'm more interested in hacking into networks, finding vulnerabilities, and exploiting them. All legally, of course.

Please tell me what book I should read first. Thank you, and I will see you in Zion.

7 comments

[ 3.6 ms ] story [ 26.0 ms ] thread
braunshizzle
Look into pentesting. There are many resources out there for it.
ecesena
Take a look at bugcrowd and hackerone. Ton of resources and opportunities, even to make some money.
throwawaybutwhy
There's a lot of things to unravel.

First off, ask yourself if you know the fundamentals - all of relevant RFCs [0] and architecture manuals [1].

Now that I've answered your question, I will offer you advice you may not like. You have to fix your attitude to get a paying job. Labeling software development IQ-toxic is not OK, you're basically insulting a bunch of hardworking folks. Humility helps - stop calling yourself 'best coder', ask your friend for a mock interview and listen to the feedback.

Patience also helps - you don't have to make hasty conclusions if you aren't familiar with subject matter - machine learning is not really like software development.

Last, but not least - please forget about becoming a black hat, committing crimes won't help your self-esteem.

[0] - https://www.ietf.org/standards/rfcs/

[1] - https://software.intel.com/content/www/us/en/develop/article...